‘PANIBUGHO’, a period film, is the first movie offering of Vivamax for 2023.
It’s the first movie directed by young indie filmmaker Iar Lionel Arondaing for the number one streaming platform and it’s cult director Roman Perez Jr who gave him the break as its creative producer.
Direk Iar has directed three acclaimed indie films: “Sa Gabing Nanahimik ang mga Kuliglig”, an entry in the 2017 Cinemalaya with Angel Aquino; “Instalado”, a ToFarm Filmfest entry in 2017 starring McCoy de Leon; and “Musmos na Sumibol sa Gubat ng Digma”, a 2018 coming-of -age movie that won awards in international film festivals in Russia and Portugal.
How did Direk Roman give a break to Direk Iar?
“We were doing ‘Taya’ last year and we needed a visual artist to help us,” says Direk Roman.
“Nakatatlong palit na kami but he came at the right time at nagawa niyang maganda ang trabaho niya. I also saw his past films and he’s very promising sa generation niya.
"May talent siya as a storyteller. Magaling siyang magkuwento. Dito sa ‘Panibugho’, bago sa kanya ang erotica pero nagawa niya itong maganda at malinis. Magpapauso siya ng historical dramas with this movie at aangkinin niya ang genre na ito for Vivamax.”
“Panibugho” is the story of three sisters played by real-life sisters Angela Morena, Stephanie Raz, and Micaella Raz.
They now play Sonya, Ester, and Lea whose father, Don Fidel Paraiso (Soliman Cruz) just died. Their dad’s death upsets the charmed lives of his three daughters.
While atill grieving, the girls are told that they won't get their inheritance due to pending land disputes involving their father.
Their lives get even more complicated when a wounded stranger strays into their home, Kiko Estrada as Felipe, asking for help.
The sisters let the injured Kiko into their home until he recovers.
But soon, the mysterious Kiko is seducing all the three sisters and he turns out to be irresistible to all of them.
What they don’t know is he has a hidden agenda in getting to know them.
The three stars are still newcomers in acting and their roles in this searing drama of intense passion are quite demanding. How did Direk Iar handle them?
"We gathered them first para mag workshop at nang maintindihan nila ang characters that they will portray,” says Direk Iar.
“Then we all rehearsed their scenes before the actual shoot. Aba, nagulat ako, iba ang pinakita nila sa rehearsal kaysa sa actual takes. Magagaling sila. Honestly, hindi ko ine-expect ang husay ng acting nila.
"Mostly, one take lang sila. Si Angela, ang galing niya. She has a long scene na ang haba ng dialogue and she has to cry on point, then she had to do it twice. At nagawa niya nang maayos.”
We ask Angela if she feels like she’s competing with her sisters?
“No, buo ang suporta namin sa isa’t isa. Wala kaming insecurities ng mga kapatid ko. I admire their qualities that I don’t have at nagtutulungan kaming tatlo sa shoot ng bawat eksena.”
How is Kiko as their leading man?
“He’s very professional, mabait siya. May foursome kami sa maisan. Ang hirap i-perform ng love scenes kasi ang daming positions na pinagawa sa amin si Direk Iar na kakaiba.
"Tapos, ang kati-kati doon sa maisan. Sacrifice na lang talaga. Pero nakakatuwa kasi nang panoorin namin, napakaganda lumabas.”
Stefanie says they have no rivalry at all.
“Kasi our manager and aunt, si Tita Lara Morena, lagi kaming sinasabihan not to put each other down. Ang dapat, lagi naming tulungang umangat ang bawat isa.”
“Panibugho” means jealousy, does Micaela ever feel jealous of her sisters?
“To be honest, kung minsan, may selos ako but I know hindi ako dapat magselos kasi bawat isa sa amin, may kakaibang katangian. And I know meron akong qualities na sa akin lang.
"Actually, we all enjoyed doing this movie kasi very supportive sina Direk Iar at Direk Roman sa amin, pati ang buo nilang team. Also si Kiko Estrada, masaya siyang katrabaho, ayaw lang magpatawag ng Kuya kahit senior naman talaga siya sa amin sa showbiz.”
